Valve



1967 s. B. KNUDTSON 3,355,144

VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 18, 1965 A I U 52 Q; 52

C I I l I A 23 32 64 32 72 64 22 32 INVENTOR.

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w/ w y a W United States Fatent O 3,355,144 VALVE Stanley B. Kuudtson,1920 Highway 99 S., Junction City, Oreg. 97448 Filed June 18, 1965, Ser.No. 464,931 6 Claims. (Cl. 251-322) ABSTRACT OF THE DISULGSURE Apparatusfor detecting and filling with a wood filler voids formed in the sideedges of a plywood sheet as the edge of the sheet is moved injuxtaposition relative to the apparatus, the apparatus including acombined void sensing and valve actuator means to control filler flowdischarge from the apparatus to the void at substantially the voidsensing means.

This invention relates to valves and valve holders, and moreparticularly to a valve having a mechanical sensing means which controlsthe flow of fluid material through the valve.

The valve and valve holder of the instant invention is particularlyadapted for use in plywood finishing machines, such as is disclosed inco-pending application Serial No. 403,995, filed October 15, 1964, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed inthis co-pending application, and as partially disclosed herein, amachine is provided for filling voids in side edges of plywood sheetsthat occur during the manufacture thereof. Basically, such a voidfilling machine comprises a means for propelling a plywood sheet along agiven path, a means for detecting voids that occur in side edgesthereof, a supply of wood filler or the like, means for delivering thewood filler to a valve, and a valve actuated by the sensing means todeliver the wood filler to the appropriate location.

Although the valve and sensing means disclosed in the co-pendingapplication adequately forms its desired task, it has been found thatcertain disadvantages reside in the sensing means and valve means of thestructure of the co-pending application which is primarily due to thenumber of elements necessary for its operation.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a valve and sensingmeans having a minimum number of moving parts.

Another object of this invention is to incorporate both a sensing meansand a valve means in the same structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve means and valveholder for use in a void filling machine.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a simple,durable, compact valve and sensing means which is particularly adaptedfor use in a void filling machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve and sensing meanswhich is inexpensive to make and which requires little maintenance.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention reside in thecombinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features ofconstruction and operation, all as will be more fully pointed outhereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there isshown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of three combination anddetection filling units utilizing the valve of the instant invention, aportion of a plywood sheet being shown in dotted lines, this view beingsubstantially the same as FIGURE 1 in the co-pending application;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1 and viewing in the direction of the arrow, this view beingsubstantially the same as FIGURE 2 of the co-pending application;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve, sensing meansand valve holder of the instant invention, the valve being shown in thefluid delivery position;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the valve, sensing means and valve holderof the instant invention;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3 andviewing in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the valvein its normally closed position when a plywood sheet is engaging thesensing means;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the valvein a closed position when no plywood sheet is being processed;

FIGURE 8 is a front view of the valve of the instant invention showingthe valve in a closed position; and

FIGURE 9 is a rear view of the device of FIGURE 8.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like elements throughout the several views thereof, a devicefor detecting and filling voids in side edges of plywood sheets is showngenerally at 20 and comprises a support means indicated generally at 22.Support means 22 comprises a horizontal platform 23 for slidinglyreceiving a sheet of plywood material 24 or the like which may bepropelled by separate motive means (not shown) or which may be directlyfed from a plywood press or sander (not shown). Support means 22 alsocomprises a hold-down means generally indicated at 28 for maintainingplywood sheet 24 against platform 23 as shown in FIGURE 2.

Indicated generally at 30 is the filling means of the instant inventionwhich is shown in FIGURE 1 as juxtaposed to the side edges of sheet 24.As more fully explained hereinafter, each of filling means 30 may bepositioned along a separate ply of plywood sheet 24.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 to 9 inclusive, filling means 30 comprises avalve holder shown generally at 32 and a valve indicated generally at34. Valve holder 32 comprises a block of material 36 which is preferablymetal and which comprises a substantially rectangular body having anupper surface 38, a lower surface 40, and lateral faces indicatedgenerally at 42, 44. Each of lateral faces 42, 44 provides a downwardlyfacing shoulder 46, 48 and an indented portion 50 for engagement with aholder 52 as shown in FIGURE 1, so that filling means 34) may bepositioned in the proper location. Disposed centrally of block 3-6 andcommunicating between surfaces 38, 40 is an opening generally indicatedat 53 having a lower end portion 54, an upper enlarged end portion 56and an annular shoulder 58 created by the difference in diameters of theend portions 54, 56.

The upper end of the portion 56 adjacent surface 38 is provided withscrew threads 60. Located adjacent the lower end portion 54 andproviding communication between lower end portion 54 and sunface 40 is adownwardly facing opening 62 which is arcuate at its upper but whichcommunicates with surface 40 through a rectangular opening 64.

Block 36 also has formed therein a second aperture perpendicular toopening 53 and indicated generally at 66 comprising an outer smoothportion 70 and an inner threaded portion 68 communicating betweenlateral face 50 and lower end portion 54 of the opening 53.

Valve 34 comprises an inner preferably cylindrical member 72 but whichmay be square, hexagonal or the like, which has a blind opening 74therein closed at its lower end by plate 75. A transverse slot 76 iscut, as by a metal saw, in the lower end of member 72 above plate 75thus providing a means of communication between opening 74 and theexterior of member 72. Member 72 also comprises a vertically disposedarcuate slot 78 at its lower end on a side opposite from slot 76, asensing means or blade 80 dependingly secured to plate 75, and threads82 on the upper end thereof.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 6 and 7, plate 75 provides a horizontal surface'77 underlying opening 74 and slot 76 with an upwardly angled surface 79underlying arcuate slot 78, which facilitates the insertion of valve 34in opening 53 since member 72 may be rotated so that ball detent 9i)first engages surface '79 and then slot 73. By assembling valve 34 in avertical position, the rotation of member 72 will allow the effects ofgravity to facilitate assembly.

Although it is possible to position slot 76 immediately above sensingmeans 80, thus obviating the need of slots 62, 64 in holder 36, it hasbeen found that wood filler material will be more expeditiouslydelivered with the illustrated embodiment.

Slidably fitted on the lower end of cylindrical member 72 is a firstsleeve means 34 which extends from shoulder 58 to lower surface 49 ofvalve holder 32. Sleeve 84 comprises a transverse slot 86 communicatingwith downwardly facing opening 62 and, as shown in FIGURE 3, is alignedbetween slot 76 and opening 62. Sleeve 84 also comprises a circularopening 88 aligned with opening 66 in block 36.

Sleeve 84 is held in place by the coaction of opening 88 and a balldetent 90 which is fixed in opening 88 by a set screw 94. Opening 88 ispreferably sized such that ball detent 9G is normally spaced fromarcuate slot 78 as shown in FIGURE 5. Such a spaced relationship avoidsundue frictional binding which would result from a close juxtapositionof slot '78 and ball 90. The movement of blade or sensing means 80 willact much like a castor wheel and tend to keep members 72, 88 aligned. Itwill be seen, however, that the rotation of member 72 is effectivelyprecluded by the coaction of ball detent 90 and the edges of slot 78which are, in efIect, a guide means for creating substantially linearsliding movement of member 72.

Slidably fitted on the upper end of cylindrical member 72 is a secondsleeve means 96 having threads 98 on the lower end thereof forengagement with threads 60 of block 36.

A biasing means indicated generally at 106 urges cylindrical member 72in a downwardly direction and comprises a lower snap ring 102 affixed ina convenient slot of member 72, a shrink fit washer 104 positioneddirectly above snap ring 102, and a helical spring 106 abutting theupper surface of washer 104 and the lower surface of upper sleeve 96. Itwill be seen that snap ring 102 cooperates with shoulder 58 to form alimit on the downward movement of member '2. Secured to threads 82 ofcylindrical member 72 are a series of connections 108, 110, 112, whichmay be of any desired type, providing a means of communication betweencylindrical members 72 and a pressurized source of wood filler materialor the like.

In the operation of filling means 30, the unit is placed adjacent themoving plywood sheets 24 such that sensing means 80 lies on a single plyof plywood sheet 24 with sheet 24 moving from left to right in FIGURE 3so that opening 64 lies rearwardly of sensing means 80. When the ply hasno void therein, sensing means 80 will be flush with lower surface 40 asshown in FIGURE 6 such that slots 76, 86 are dis-aligned thus precludingthe flow of pressurized wood filler material therethrough.

When a void occurs in the side edge of sheet 24, sensing means 80 willbe pressed thereinto by biasing means thus aligning slots 76, 86, asshown in FIGURE 3 allowing the flow of pressurized wood filler materialthrough cylindrical member 27 and opening 64 into the void in sheet 24.When the void in sheet 24 passes sensing means 80, cylindrical member 72will be cammed upwardly by the action of sensing means 80 and the edgeof sheet 24.

When sheet 24 is removed from holding means 22 biasing means of valve 34will act to press member 72 downwardly such that slots 76, 86 are againdis-aligned, as shown in FIGURE 7 to preclude the wasteful loss of woodfiller material therethrough.

Although valve means 34 has been described in conjunction with a voidfilling machine for plywood sheets, it should be apparent that valve 34has application in other environments.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved valvewhich is especially adapted for detecting and filling voids in the sideedges of plywood or other sheet material, which satisfies all of theobjects of the instant invention and others, including many advantagesof great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and sincemany modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it will be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination, a valve and a valve holder,

said valve holder having an upper and a lower surface and forming anopening connecting said upper and lower surfaces; said valve comprisinga member having an upper and a lower end, a longitudinal axis, anopening parallel to said longitudinal axis, a transverse slot adjacentsaid lower end communicating with said opening, means closing saidopening at said lower end of said member, said member further includinga vertically disposed slot adjacent its said lower end; first meansslidably mounted on said member adjacent its said lower end, said firstmeans including an opening disposed adjacent said vertically disposedslot;

means securing said first means in said opening of said valve holderadjacent its said lower surface, said socuring means including a detentdisposed in said opening of said first means, and means disposedadjacent said detent urging said detent into said vertically disposedslot, means in said opening of said valve holder for engagement withmeans on said member for limiting the downward movement of said member;

second means slidably mounted on said member adjacent its said upperend;

means seecuring said second means in said opening of said valve holderadjacent its said upper surface; and means biasing said memberdownwardly.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said means closing said opening ofsaid member provides an upwardly slanting surface underlying saidvertically disposed arcuate slot.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said member forms a transverse slotcommunicating with said opening adjacent said lower end, said firstmeans being formed with a transverse slot residing in the same verticalplane as said slot in said member, said valve holder being formed withan opening communicating between said slot of said first means and saidlower surface of said valve holder.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein a sensing means is formed on saidlower end of said member.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said sensing means comprises adownwardly extending blade of lesser thickness than said member.

6. The structure of claim 3 wherein said biasing means includes abutmentmeans on said member, and

5 6 resilient means interposed between and engaging said 1,100,3176/1914 Maserson 251-325 X second means and said abutment means.2,969,923 1/1961 Fremion 251-325 X References Cited FOREIGN PATENTSUNITED STATES PATENTS 5 28,292 8/1921 Swedensss,179 6/1879 Bloemecke251-325 X CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner- 712,249 10/1902 Briggs 251-322XA. ROSENTHAL, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A VALVE AND A VALVE HOLDER, SAID SLEEVE HOLDER HAVINGAN UPPER AND A LOWER SURFACE AND FORMING AN OPENING CONNECTING SAIDUPPER AND LOWER SURFACES; SAID VALVE COMPRISING A MEMBER HAVING AN UPPERAND A LOWER END, A LONGITUDINAL AXIS, AN OPENING PARALLEL TO SAIDLONGITUDINAL AXIS, A TRANSVERSE SLOT ADJACENT SAID LOWER ENDCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID OPENING, MEANS CLOSING SAID OPENING AT SAIDLOWER END OF SAID MEMBER, SAID MEMBER FURTHER INCLUDING A VERTICALLYDISPOSED SLOT ADJACENT ITS SAID LOWER END; FIRST MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTEDON SAID MEMBER ADJACENT ITS SAID LOWER END, SAID FIRST MEANS INCLUDINGAN OPENING DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID VERTICALLY DISPOSED SLOT; MEANSSECURING SAID FIRST MEANS IN SAID OPENING OF SAID VALVE HOLDER ADJACENTITS SAID LOWER SURFACE, SAID SECURING MEANS INCLUDING A DETENT DISPOSEDIN SAID OPENING OF SAID FIRST MEANS, AND MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAIDDETENT URGING SAID DETENT INTO SAID VERTICALLY DISPOSED SLOT, MEANS INSAID OPENING OF SAID VALVE HOLDER FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH MEANS ON SAIDMEMBER FOR LIMITING THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER; SECOND MEANSSLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MEMBER ADJACENT ITS SAID UPPER END; MEANSSECURING SAID SECOND MEANS IN SAID OPENING OF SAID VALVE HOLDER ADJACENTITS SAID UPPER SURFACE; AND MEANS BIASING SAID MEMBER DOWNWARDLY.